Dayton OH vs Lee's Summit MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
Lee's Summit, MO
Missouri · Population: 102,583
- Median HH Income$104,989
- Median Home Price$313,200
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Lee's Summit
102,583
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Dayton +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
Dayton
51.3%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Lee's Summit +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Dayton +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 102,583 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 38.6 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 4.2% | Dayton + |
| White | 51.3% | 78.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 38.0% | 10.2% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 5.3% | Dayton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Lee's Summit +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $48,687 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,527 | Lee's Summit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $313,200 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Lee's Summit
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Lee's Summit
2418
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 501 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2418 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 32.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 9.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 16.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 18.5% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 11.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Lee's Summit +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Lee's Summit + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 26.9 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lee's Summit has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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